Must-see highlights
Beijing Travel Guide
Beyond imperial grandeur, this guide covers Beijing's 3,000-year heritage—the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and 7.8 km central axis, hutong life around the Bell & Drum Towers, intangible heritage like Peking Opera, cloisonné and Tu'er Ye, plus old-meets-new urban creativity. Includes a 3-day itinerary (Tian'anmen–Forbidden City–Jingshan, Badaling Great Wall–Olympic Park, Summer Palace–Nanluoguxiang–Houhai) and classic eats like Peking duck, zhajiangmian and copper hotpot.
Beijing is a city of extraordinary scale: imperial palaces, intimate hutongs, contemporary art districts and mountain landscapes all belong to the same journey.
Begin early at the Forbidden City, when the courtyards are quiet and the scale of the former imperial palace is easiest to appreciate. Continue through Jingshan Park for a panoramic view over the golden rooftops.
Set aside a full day for the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Its restored watchtowers, wooded ridgelines and lighter crowds make it an excellent choice for first-time visitors.
Leave time for the city's everyday rhythm too: morning tai chi at the Temple of Heaven, a slow walk through the hutongs, and dinner built around roast duck or comforting bowls of noodles.